ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday said that it had extended an invitation to Saudi Arabia to become a strategic partner in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) -- a $62 billion project initiated by Beijing and Islamabad.
Addressing a press conference in the capital, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that Pakistan’s main interest lied in cooperation with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on matters of trade and security. “A high-level coordination committee has been constituted [to look into matters of trade and commerce] and it has the complete backing of Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Prime Minister Imran Khan,” Chaudhry said.
He added that a high-level delegation from Saudi Arabia and the UAE is expected to visit Pakistan in the first week of October. Saudi ministers of treasury and power along with several prominent business leaders will be part of the delegation.
Adding that “our strategic cooperation has been revitalized”, Chaudhry said that prime among Islamabad’s priorities are plans to finalize an important economic partnership. “We expect major investments from Saudi Arabia. We have assured the Saudi leadership that we will continue to provide security and support to their country wherever needed,” Chaudhry said.
The information minister added that the UAE will also be helping Pakistan in several projects, including in the provision of fresh water, especially in Karachi and other parts of Sindh. “Delegations from the UAE will also be coming to Pakistan in October to discuss these matters,” he said.
